Warm up Your Winter Walk-In
Winter always seems to creep up on us year after year, even though 87% of Americans seek out a daily weather forecast. It is so easy to tell ourselves, “We have some time” or “I will get the snow shovel down from the attic this weekend.” Then you leave your office that Wednesday afternoon to find your car tucked under a layer of snow. The upside of that first snowfall is that it sets the expectations of what is yet to come – winter! After that first dusting of snow, you have two options; you can hit snooze and put it off till later, or you can get to work on winterizing your home.
Initially set on a new build project, Nicholle and Kyle ultimately found a home on the market that they felt could be transformed into their dream home. Baked into their original build plans was a 100 square foot closet space, and yet their new home only has 35 square feet of closet space. As they sifted through their options, they came across and reached out to Lake Champlain Closets to set up a consultation about their storage needs.
1) Insulation
Insulation is a common term used when your goal is preserving the heat in your home. Insulation serves as a barrier between your home and the outside air. This barricade helps keep your home warm in the winter and colder when the heatwave comes through. Since air expands and the molecules move faster when heated, it bounces from wall to wall until it cools or escapes, leaving small spaces like your closet cold. If you notice areas in your home that are significantly colder than others, you may want to install additional insulation to keep the warm air contained.
2) Carpets & Area Rugs
Not interested in starting a big project? Add a thick area rug or carpet to your walk-in to serve as a simple, yet decorative form of insulation. While it may not be a perfect solution for your drafty closet, the extra layer between your feet and the cold floor helps keep the warm air in and traps the cool air from seeping up through the floor. Warm wool rugs are the best for winter and bonus if you add a rug pad underneath.
3) Underfloor Heating
If your closet is on the first floor, you may find that your feet are extra cold as the heat rises away from the ground. By installing an underfloor heating system, you can keep your floors warm while also improving the efficiency of your home. There are two main types of underfloor heating, electric underfloor heating, aka a “dry system,” and hydronic underfloor heating, aka a “wet system.” Additionally, underfloor heating typically uses 15-40% less energy than traditional radiators, which can help you significantly cut down your energy bill in the winter.
4) Air Circulation
Adding air circulation is not typically the first thing that comes to mind when you have a drafty space. Using a ceiling fan can cool down your room is common knowledge, but did you know you can use it to heat a room as well? By switching the rotation of the blades to direct air upwards instead of down, you will recirculate the warm air that has risen in your space. This simple step can make a massive difference in the way your closet feels and could be everything you need to warm up your walk-in in the winter.
5) Know Your Space
Not all walk-ins are created equal. For instance, yes, a walk-in closet provides one with the ability to walk in, but that does not necessarily mean you can walk around, and space plays a significant role in making sure you have the correct heating equipment. Keep in mind that your closet walls are lined with drawers or hanging clothes made from linen, cotton, cashmere, viscose, etc. Did someone say #flammable? It can be very dangerous to add certain heating mechanisms into a small room, such as an electric space heater, so exercise caution. No matter what kind of heat source you use for your walk-in closet, do your research, and be careful with what you choose!
Bonus:
Here are other recommendations for keeping the thermostat low without having to sacrifice your warmth. Changing your curtains to drapes is not only a great way to keep your home warmer during the cold winter days, but it also changes up your decor and allows you to keep your items like new for years to come. You can also prevent drafts from coming into your home by ensuring your windows are completely sealed and by adding draft dodgers to the bottom of your doors!
Need some renovations made to your walk-in closet? Send us a message or give us a call to schedule your free consultation and begin exploring your dream closet solution!